Actor Phil Dunster hones his theatrical talents in Apple TV+'s intriguing suspense series titled 'Surface'.
American audiences first encountered British actor Phil Dunster through his comic roles, but his turn as Quinn Huntley in Apple TV+'s "Surface" has proven his versatility. This psychological thriller, from Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, follows a woman with memory loss attempting to uncover her past, with Quinn, an elitist Londoner with family secrets, adding to the drama.
Dunster, who had primarily done comedy before "Ted Lasso," found the switch to drama challenging but exhilarating. He appreciated the shift in tones and pacing between the two genres. "With Surface, it was great to go back to playing very dark stakes. I enjoyed stepping into a different headspace to find the character. It's chewy, it’s naughty, and it’s fun," he shared.
Hello Sunshine, known for adapting author picks, found Dunster's versatility appealing for the darker character of Quinn Huntley. Lauren Neustadter, Hello Sunshine's President of Film and Television, praised Dunster's ability to be both magnetic and enigmatic while keeping viewers on their toes.
Dunster embraced top-notch roles rather than avoiding typecasting. For an actor, complications make characters more interesting, and shows like "Surface" offer plenty. The psychological thriller's second season took a twist by moving the action from San Francisco to London, introducing a new set of mysterious characters, and delving into the Huntley family's secrets.
Quinn Huntley, now engaged with novel intentions, tries to live up to the family's expectations but struggles to shake off the weight of its dark past. His troubled relationship with his family and the secrets they hide make him a complex character hard to forget.
Though Jamie Tartt is a lovable character, there are similarities between him and Quinn. Both are fighting to break free from external expectations. Dunster saw this connection as a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to showcase his acting prowess. His thoughtful portrayal of complex characters is rooted in empathy and humanization, ensuring even the most questionable figures remain relatable.
Dunster's upcoming projects include an HBO comedy series with Steve Carell, and he remains open to reprising his role as Jamie Tartt in the future if Jason Sudeikis is on board. With his diverse talents and passion for challenging roles, audiences can expect many more enchanting performances from Phil Dunster.
- Dunster's versatility was showcased in the dramedy "Ted Lasso," where he played the character Jamie Tartt.
- The psychological thriller "Surface," a project of Hello Sunshine, featured Dunster in a significant role, proving his ability to handle tense and complex storylines.
- The comedy genre was familiar territory for Dunster, but he found the switch to a thriller like "Surface" to be an exciting challenge.
- The second season of "Surface" introduced new psychopaths and family secrets for Dunster's character, Quinn Huntley, to navigate.
- Phil Dunster's performance in "Surface" saw him balance magnetism and enigma, keeping viewers intrigued with the character's secrets.
- The connection between Jamie Tartt and Quinn Huntley, both struggling against external expectations, presented an opportunity for Dunster to exhibit his acting abilities in a thoughtful and empathetic manner.
- In his future projects, including an HBO comedy series, Dunster continues to embrace roles that challenge him and offer opportunities to showcase his diverse talents.
